Clinical Psychology

The Aims of the Clinical Psychology Program are:

1. To ensure a strong understanding of the conduct of research, including research methodology and the necessary skills of data analysis, and produce clinical scientists who will contribute to the scholarly literature.
2. To provide training and practice in the sound integration of science and clinical practice.
3. To provide a broad spectrum of training in clinical and professional skills, and to prepare students to take on multiple roles as psychologists (e.g., mentors, teachers, scientists, consultants).
4. To train in the highest professional conduct in the following areas: professional standards and ethics, knowledge and respect for cultural and individual diversity, and attitudes toward lifelong learning.
5. To provide a thorough grasp and understanding of the scientific foundations in general psychology.

Our program is firmly committed to a clinical scientist training model. Students receive a thorough grounding in the scientific foundations of general psychology, are taught the most up-to-date concepts in research methodology and data analysis, and are trained comprehensively in clinical and professional skills. Clinical course work (Psychology, M.A. (Along the Way), Psychology, Ph.D.) and practical training emphasize the integration of scientific principles and the use of empirical evidence and validated theoretical models in guiding clinical practice.

The objective of our program is to provide comprehensive training in psychology as a basic mission, and broad-based training in clinical psychology as a specialty. We intend for our students to be sufficiently trained so that a variety of career options are possible for them. Beyond this basic objective, however, we hope to provide training that will enable our students to make an impact on the field in whatever specialty niche they pursue. The field of clinical psychology has been in flux since its inception. Merely training students in current practices does not sufficiently prepare them for changes that will occur in the field, nor does it prepare them to become innovators in the field. Our training program’s primary goal is to produce graduates who will participate in the discourse that occurs among scholars and practitioners at the highest levels of psychology throughout their careers and who will have a significant impact on the field. To achieve this goal, students must receive balanced training in the science and the scientific practice of psychology. We believe that those individuals who have a firm appreciation for the problems encountered in clinical practice can make the most meaningful contributions to scientific knowledge; similarly we believe that it is only by gaining a true appreciation for the science of psychology that one can provide informed and competent service. The Department of Psychology’s Mission Statement provides additional information about our Program’s Principles and Philosophy.

As noted above, the Clinical Program is accredited by the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS). As noted on its website, “PCSAS was created to promote superior science-centered education and training in clinical psychology, to increase the quality and quantity of clinical scientists contributing to the advancement of public health, and to enhance the scientific knowledge base for mental and behavioral health care.” PCSAS requires documentation that the program is dedicated to training clinical scientists, and that the majority of its graduates are indeed functioning as active clinical scientists. USF has been continuously accredited since 2011. The PCSAS application abstract from February, 2011 summarizes how the program met the accreditation criteria at that time.

Similarly, the program is a member of the Academy of Psychological Clinical Science, which is a coalition of doctoral training programs that share a common goal of producing and applying scientific knowledge to the assessment, understanding, and amelioration of human problems. Membership in the Academy is granted only after a thorough peer review process. Membership in the Academy reflects our Program’s commitment to excellence in scientific training, and to using clinical science as the foundation for designing, implementing, and evaluating assessment and intervention procedures.

Future Accreditation Plans

The University of South Florida's program is accredited by PCSAS (Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System) through June 2031 and by the APA (Committee on Accreditation, American Psychological Association) through 2027. The tenets and expectations of PCSAS are highly consistent with our training goals and methods, and provide the pedagogical flexibility to implement training approaches that consider the future (not only the current state) of the field. We plan to maintain APA accreditation until programs accredited by PCSAS are given the same access to internship and licensure opportunities as are programs accredited by APA.

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